WMCA plans pay rise to attract new boss

The new boss of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is set to get a pay rise.

As the body works to replace former ceo Laura Shoaf, who stepped down in June, the pay range for the role is expected to increase from between £180,000-£215,000 to £197,825-£250,000, if approval is granted.

Deputy chief executive Ed Cox stepped in as interim, and in October, this arrangement was extended for a further six months

Recruiters have failed to find a suitable candidate as the current salary was "too low to attract the calibre of candidates needed", WMCA board members were told.

A report to the board said this would put the salary on a level paid by some other combined authorities elsewhere in the country.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority offers a flat £197,825 while Liverpool City Region Combined Authority offers a minimum of £205,304 and a maximum of £229,209.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority offers a minimum of £220,000 and a maximum of £250,000 to its chief executive.

According to the 2024-25 unaudited accounts, Shoaf was paid £207,000 at the time, as well as £20,000 in pension contributions.

The WMCA Board is expected to approve the increase on 16 January.

Its report said: "This approach enables WMCA to maintain parity with peer organisations, attract and retain high calibre leadership talent, and uphold our reputation as a high performing and forward-thinking employer.

"In an ambitious, trailblazing Combined Authority, where strategic leadership is critical to delivering complex regional priorities, it is essential that our reward framework reflects both market conditions and the value of senior roles."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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